Donald says Masters his best chance for first major

Luke Donald became the world's top-ranked golfer in May of 2011 and now is No. 4. (WILLIAM WEST / AFP/Getty Images)

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Luke Donald is no longer the world’s No. 1.

Not that the Northwestern alum needs to be reminded. There are reminders everywhere, like in the Masters interview room, where the vast majority of seats were unoccupied for his pre-tournament press conference.

“There’s a lot less (media) demand, a lot more going under the radar,” he said. “There’s less expectation – and probably less for myself. That can only be a good thing. It’s one less thing to think about.”

Donald will not escape attention Thursday and Friday, though, given that he is paired with Tiger Woods (and Scott Piercy). The three will tee off at 9:45 a.m. Chicago time Thursday.

Donald became the world’s No. 1 in May 2011 and resided in the top spot for 55 non-consecutive weeks.

He is now No. 4 behind Tiger Woods and fellow Europeans Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose.

Donald never threatened at last year’s Masters, shooting 75-73-75-68 for a tie for 32nd place.

The 35-year-old North Shore resident has as many cuts as top-5 Masters finishes – two – but still believes this represents his best chance to win his first major.

“I’m very much a golfer who likes to prepare for specific courses,” he said. “I’m able to do that here. And the short game, I do believe, is very important in this place. It’s not just about reading these greens. It’s a feel thing.”

Donald came to Augusta early this year, practicing last Friday and Saturday with his swing instructor, Northwestern golf coach Pat Goss.

He has been working mainly on his speed control on the greens but said that technique is probably not the issue.

“It’s seeing that ball go in and building confidence off of that,” he said.